Mumps

Infection in parotid salivary glands is Mumps, located in the front and below the ears. Saliva is produced by these glands which drain in the mouth and helps to digest food and break them up.
Mumps is an airborne infection and is caused by a contagious virus. These are caused by the sneezes and coughs droplets of the infected person. Once you come in contact with the virus it takes at least 21 to 41 days for the virus of mumps to grow. Mumps is a mild condition but it can get complicated in few cases and result in meningitis and deafness. Hence vaccination is a must for children to fight against mumps.
MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) immunization was introduced in 1988 resulting in very rare cases of mumps in UK. In recent times few parents have not given it their MMR vaccine to their children resulting in increase of mumps cases.

Symptoms

The Salivary glands get swelled, one or may be both and is very painful. In the front and blow the ear the appearance looks swollen. These glands increase in the next three to two days and decreases gradually with falling of high temperature. The swelling will last for at least a week.
The viral infection for mumps is in your system for 21 to 14 days before the symptoms show. The person is contagious for six days before the glands swell and five days after. Mumps can be passed on to another person incase the infection is there currently.
Symptoms of mumps include:

• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Abdominal pain, mild
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling tired
• Fever
• Soar throat
• pain when chewing and swallowing,
• Ovaries in girls and testes in boys also can get swelled.
• At times 33% of people with mumps develop no symptoms or mild symptoms

Causes

Mumps virus is spread by minute droplets from sneezes and coughs of the infected person. This can also be spread by saliva.
Paramyxoviris is a virus that causes mumps. Coxsackie virus or influenza virus is responsible for swelling of parotid glands. Recurring of mumps can be because of this.
If vaccination is not being given to you as a child or a weak immune system can be the main reason for mumps.
Diagnosis
Symptoms like swelling around parotid glands can be diagnosed as mumps. The doctor shall examine and feel the swelling, he can also see that tonsils are pushed from their normal position. Temperature is raised approximately 100 to 103 F if you have mumps. For confirming the diagnosis, test like cerebrospinal fluid test (CSF), urine and blood will be required. A sample of fluid running through the spine is required in the CSF test. You need to rush to the doctor if you feel any of the family members has mumps, especially children.

Treatment

Treatment only depends upon the symptoms as there is no cure for mumps. Antibodies are produced by the body to heal itself from the virus, providing immunity for life. You need to take plenty of water to cool the fluids, fruit juices should be avoided as it stimulates production of saliva and can be painful. Paracetamol or ibuprofen is a painkiller, which reduce pain and fever. Children below the age of 16 shouldn’t be given aspirin. A warm flannel can be used to soothe your swollen glands.
Stronger painkillers or steroids like corticosteroids should be prescribed to men who have severe inflammation of testes. Recurring of mumps is very rare.

Prevention

As a part of National immunization program, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) are given in two doses. Around 13 months of age the first dose is given, and second before schooling. When ever convenient these two doses can be given with in a interval of 1 month between 2 doses. It’s recommended that the second dose should be given before school begins. Children who develop mumps should be kept away from everyone as it is very contagious
Complications

Serious complications can occur very seldom. Inflammation of testes one or both in men over the age of 12 can painful, There are chances that it lowers fertility and can also lead to sterility. Very rarely mump in females causes swelling in ovaries.
Pancreas, thyroid gland gets inflamed and be painful. Inflammation of meninges and brain inflammation also occur at times. Mumps do cause deafness in ears in a very rare scenario. There can be higher risk of miscarriage for pregnant women with mumps especially in the first 16-12 weeks.